Delhi Sultnate: Study Notes

Delhi Sultnate is a term given to five kingdoms that ruled over Delhi between 13th and the 16th Centuries.
There were five different dynasties that ruled during this period. The Sultanate was preceded by Muhammad
Ghori and was succeeded by the Mughal Empire.
The dynasties and their period of rule

Mamluk dynasty (1206-1290)

Khilji dynasty (1290-1320)
Tughlaq dynasty (1320-1413)
Sayyid dynasty (1414-1451)
Lodi dynasty (1451-1526)

Mamluk Dynasty 1206-1290

Mamluk Dynasty is commonly known as the Slave Dynasty. Mamulks had a Turkic origin. It was the first
dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. Mamluk Dynasty was established by Qutub-ud-din-Aibak who a slave and
general of Muhammad Ghori. Aibak took control of Ghoris territories in the Indian region after his death.

Important rulers of the Mamluk dynasty:

Qutub-ud-din-Aibak (1206-1210 AD)

He initiated the construction of the Qutub Minar.
Shams-ud-din-Iltutmish (1211-1236)
The Qutub Minar was finally completed under Iltutmish
Razia Sultana (1236-1240)
The first female ruler.
Ghiyas-ud-din-Balban (1266-1287)

Khilji Dynasty (1290-1320)

The Khiljis had a Turkic-Afghan origin. Ala-ud-din-Khilji (1296-1316 AD) was a prominent Khilji ruler. Notable
events during his rule were:

Averting the Mongol invasion between 1294 AD and 1308 AD

Invasion of Southern-India. His general Malik Kafur won over Hoysalas, Devagiri, and Warangal.
He introduced a price control system.

Tughlaq Dynasty (1321 to 1394 AD)

The Tuglaqs were of Turkic origin. The Tughlaq dynasty was founded by Ghiyas-al-din Tughlaq in 1321 AD.
The empire grew vastly under is son Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325-1351 AD).
Notable events during his rule were:

He shifted the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad, a move that failed.

He was responsible for the expansion of the Delhi Sultanate southwards into the Deccan region
Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced copper-based token currency. Another failed experiment, that
could have been a turning point in history.
Muhammad bin Tughlaq was succeeded by Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388 AD).

Firoz Shah Tughlaq re-built the top two storeys of the Qutub Minar with white marble.

Sayyid Dynasty (1414 AD to 1451 AD)

The Sayyids came to power after Timurs plunder of Delhi in 1398 AD. The Sayyids were succeeded by the
Lodis.

Lodi Dynasty (1451 AD to 1526 AD)

The Lodis were of Afghan origin.

The Lodi dynasty was founded by Bahlul Khan Lodi in 1451 AD.
Sikandar Lodi (1489 AD-1517) founded the city of Agra in 1504.
Ibrahim Lodi (1489 AD-1526) was the last ruler of the Lodi dynasty. He was defeated by Babur in
the First Battle of Panipat and Mughal rule was established in India.